2017 Steele Durell Chardonnay

One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn’t like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.

Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.

Steele winery is located in Kelseyville in Lake County. Founded by iconic winemaker Jed Steele in 1991. Jed has made award wining wines from some of the most prestigious AVA’s in Northern California. In August 2020, Clay Shannon purchased the winery and will continue to produce wines under the Steele and Shooting Star labels. These wines are great values and true too terroir. The winery is a perfect place to visit to picnic with friends. Flagship wines are Chardonnay, Pinot, Cabernet and Zinfandel.